Vehicle-spring



(N 0 Model.)

T. B. STONE.

VEHICLE SPRING.

Patented July 15, 1884 INVENTOR.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BENTON STONE, OF OAMPTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

VEHICLE-SPRING.

:PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 302,049, dated-July 15, 1884..

Application filed Fehruarye, 1884. (No model.)

new and useful Improvements in Vehicle- Springs; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which forma part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a top view of the same. Fig. 2 is a bottom view, and Figs. 3 and 4 are side and end views.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to so-called platform-springs for vehicles; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts of the same. as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Heretofore in this class ofinventions platform-springs have been constructed in such a and at their outer ends to the ends of side connected with each other, one of them being,

' curbed or bent laterally, and yet remaining integral and unbroken, so that no joint occurs where it is attached to the frame, and other advantages herein described are secured.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A indicates the front axle of a vehicle, to the upper side of which two springs, B B, are secured in the usual manner near the ends of the axle, which springs form eyes 0 at their evenly over allparts of the springs.

7 ends, through which pass bolts 1), upon the.

ends of which the upper" perforatedends of shackles or stirrups E are pivoted. These stirrnps have upwardly and downwardly projecting perforated lips or ends F, which lips are twisted in planes at an angle of about forty-five degrees to each other, and the ends of .two V-shaped springs,'G, are hinged upon bolts H in the lower lips of the shackles, the ends of these springs thus forming angles of about forty-five degrees to the ends of the side springs B. The ends of the springs B are slightly raised above their middle, and the inner joined ends of the V-shaped springs are raised above the outer ends, and secured to the under side of a platform formed of a number of cross-pieces, I, upon the upper side of which the lower fifth-wheel plate, J, is secured.

It will be seen that both sets of springs will yield and cushion the movements of the vehicle, and that the shackles will allow a lateral and longitudinal motion to the springs and through them to the body of the vehicle,which will assist in cushioning the motions of the vehicle, and at the same time render all jars caused by unevenness of the road less injurious to the running-gear, spring, and body of the vehicle.

It will also be seen that by having the ends of the. V -shaped springs extending almost radially from the center of the platform upon which the weight of the load rests, the said weight is distributed evenly to all four ends of the two side springs with a slight outward strain, which is exercised upon the stirrups,

which again bear upon the ends of the side springs, converting the outward strain to a downward strain by the shape of the stirrups, thus, as before said, distributing the strain The V- shaped springs, upon which the platform is secured, will serve to connect the cross-pieces composing the said platform, and at the same time be more securely fastened than separate springs, as are generally used in this class of vehicle-springs, the bolts securing one half of the V-shaped spring, also securing the other half, thus distributing the strain of each half upon the securing-bolts of both halves.

I am aware that platform-springs having radiating quarter-elliptic springs secured at their ends in twisted shackles at the ends of the side springs have been made, and I do not wish to claim such construction, broadly.

I am also aware that two semielliptic springs, each one being bent laterally and in opposite directions to the other, have been used together, the ends of each spring being shaped diagonally in opposition to the diagonal outline of the connected end of its mate, and I do not claim such a construction. By laterally bending but one half of my spring and retaining square ends on both halves, I reduce the tendency to torsional strain on either half and provide a form of spring which is adapted for use in connection with either a platform-gearing or directly with a body.

I claim- 1. A platform-gear comprising the following elements: straight semi-elliptic springs secured to an axle, laterally curved or bent i11- tegral semi-elliptic springs pivotally connected at their ends to the straight semi elliptic springs, and aseries of parallel bars bolted to the integral bent or curved portions, and having secured thereto a fifth-wheel, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the straight semielliptic spring B, and the laterally curved or bent integral semi --elliptie spring G, each spring having square ends, and the twisted shackles F, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of the straight semielliptic springs B, thelaterally-curved integral semi-elliptic springs G, cross-bars I, fifthwheel J, and axle A, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing. as my own I have hereunto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS BENTON STONE.

\Vitnesses:

(J. 0. SMITH, L. B. CAMP. 

